Hello, it was Eating Disorder Awareness Week a few weeks ago, and luckily enough I managed to interview a spokesperson named Rebecca for a very helpful campaign called Beat Eating Disorders. I asked Rebecca her thoughts on the Urban Outfitters scandal and what was being done to help those who suffer from eating disorders that aren't as common as Bulimia and Anorexia. This post may be triggering to some, but I hope this answers any questions any of you had!
1. It was recently Eating Disorder Awareness Week, why do you think we still need a week of awareness?
We have come a long way in raising awareness of eating disorders but we still have a great deal of work to do. Individuals and families affected by eating disorders still face stigma because of their association with an eating disorder. Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses affecting 1.6 million people in the UK, they claim more lives than any other mental illness but we know that they are treatable and recovery is possible. The sooner someone gets this treatment they need the more likely they are to make a full recovery. Eating Disorders Awareness Weeks gives us the opportunity to raise these important messages to let people know how serious eating disorders are and how we are working to beating them.
2. Do you find that Binge Eating Disorder isn't taken as seriously as other forms of eating disorders, i.e. Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia?
Binge Eating Disorder has recently been included in the DSM-V which is the manual used in America for diagnostic criteria. It is a big step forward and we expect to see the equivalent manual in the UK follow suit. Very often there is lots of emphasis put on anorexia in particular by the media even though it is the least common eating disorder – only 10% of all eating disorder sufferers will have an anorexia diagnosis. There is still a considerable amount of misunderstanding about Binge Eating Disorder, like Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder is a serious mental illness, it isn’t about laziness or greed but an illness which needs treatment for recovery. We have recently launched an emotional overeating support group project set up for those who emotionally overeat.
3. Why do you think some people are willing to risk their health and safety to lose weight? Is the media to blame?
It’s important to remember that eating disorders aren’t a lifestyle choice – somebody doesn’t choose to have an eating disorder. They can start as a way to feel in control of an area of an individuals’ life while everything else seems to be falling apart – a bereavement, pressure from work, sport or school, family break up, personal relationship break down are just a few examples. Quite often however, this control or coping mechanism for something else becomes the thing that controls them.
4. Going back to the previous question, would you say the media is the main reason for eating disorders, or is there a wider picture?
Eating disorders are complex and there is no one single cause why someone develops an eating disorder. A whole range of different factors combine such as genetic, psychological, environmental, social and biological influences. Latest research is showing us that they are much more hard wired and biologically based than we previously thought. The media does place pressure on individuals to be a certain weight or shape but it is too easy to point the finger in their direction. The media might be toxic to vulnerable individuals but they do not cause eating disorders.
5. It recently became public that Urban Outfitters have been selling t-shirts with the slogan "Eat Less" on them - has Anorexia become a trend?
Anorexia is not a fad, phase, trend or diet gone wrong, it is a serious mental illness.
6. What can we do to help people who are suffering with an eating disorder?
The first port of call is your GP, who will be able to refer individuals onto relevant services. Although serious, eating disorders are treatable and full recovery is possible. We know from our daily contact with people affected that they can and do make a full recovery – their lives no longer dominated by fear of food. Beat also provides support for anybody affected by eating disorders – individuals and those who care for them – families, friends, teachers, employees and professionals. Information about eating disorders can be found on our website at www.b-eat.co.uk where there are online support services and we also have a Helpline which people can call, text or email (0845 634 1414, help@b-eat.co.uk or text 07786 201820).
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